Having your loved ones visit your home for a stay can be exciting. It could give you all ample time to spend together. You could be making plans to paint the town red or spend quality time right at home. Either way, the idea of having good company over is fantastic.
But most people tend to feel stressed at the first sound of having guests over. It is understandable, given creating a welcoming environment and entertaining your guests can both be intense. But the trick to a warm and comfortable stay is to step into their shoes and understand what they might require to feel at ease. Here are some fun and unique ways to welcome your guests during their next visit to ensure you create an everlasting impression in their hearts.
- Create A Charming Spread
After stressful travel, it is natural for your guests to feel tired and famished. The best way to give them a warm welcome would be to offer them some beverages and finger snacks to enjoy. You can start with a simple starter or snack based on the time of the day. Add tea, coffee, wine, or any other cold beverage to go with it. The food can create a relaxing environment to start conversations that could help them feel at ease.
For the next meal, create a good spread with a mixture of foods. Make sure to include some familiar homecooked foods for a homely appeal. Give a couple of options between dishes in case of allergies or specific dislike to certain ingredients. You can add some extravagant choices to the spread through thanksgiving kolachi roll box or dessert boxes that add a lovely finish to the meal. Make sure to add kid-friendly items if you have little ones visiting—stock up on chocolates or other sweet treats that could please your guests.
- Clean The House
Preparing the guest room for their stay is, of course, crucial. So clean up the room and arrange for a bed. In case your guest may stay on the sofa, make sure to tidy up the place. Cover with clean bedsheets and pillow covers, and stock up on towels, soaps, toilet paper, and other essential things the room may need.
Apart from the room, you should also put effort into tidying up the common areas, such as the living room, kitchen, bathrooms, balcony, and terrace. Your guests may like to spend time around the house in rooms other than their own. It could be quite awkward if the place is brimming with dirty dishes, laundry or dust. Take extra care to clean up the bathrooms and use potpourri or scented sachets for a pleasing smell.
If you have pets, place them in one part of the house. Also, clean their regular spaces and air out the house well in advance to avoid any unpleasant smells.
- Give Them a Quick Tour
Familiarizing your guests with the house can ensure they have a homely experience during their stay. This way, they can understand the house’s private rooms and common spaces. Quick home tours are also an effective icebreaker. It can help start conversations with the guests and help them feel comfortable.
- Prioritize Their Privacy
Your house guests may need some time to themselves. It could be to rest after a long day or make a personal call. So, avoid hovering over them even if you wish to take the best care of them. Give them private time inside and outside the house. Provide them with enough closet space in their rooms to store their stuff just as they like.
You can go to bed early to give them time in the living room with the TV. You can also offer them some time to spend outdoors on the porch or balcony enjoying the view. Allowing your guests to enjoy their privacy can help them feel cozy.
- Make Things Accesible
Your guests may not enjoy asking you for basic stuff like water every few minutes. So make sure some regular items are placed accessibly, enabling them to help themselves. Point your guests to the water filter while giving a tour, and keep coffee pots, saucepans, tea bags, coffee powder, sugar, honey, and some snacks on the counter. Stock up your fridge with their favorite snacks. If unsure, add some chips, cookies, fruits, and juices. Keep some breakfast ingredients like eggs, pancake mixtures, milk, and cereals handy for early birds. Don’t forget to give them the wifi password to offer them a comfortable experience.
- Get Some Help
While preparing for the visit is essential, avoid working and cleaning all the time when your guests are staying. They might enjoy spending time with you, and watching you clean and work all day can be tiring.
Take the opportunity to relax and chill with your guests. Get house help for everyday tasks like washing dishes and cleaning the house and kitchen. Take up any offer to help you with setting the table and cooking. Working as a team will make sure you complete these chores quickly. You can also do it as a team, which could be fun.
- Guide Them to Your Favorite Places
One of the best ways to provide guests with a beautiful stay in your house is to help them build an itinerary. You can start by suggesting to them some of your favorite places in the city. Make sure to list eateries and unique experiences here to give them an idea of what they can do.
Ask them about their plans and try to help them plan the routes, such as covering most places. Point them out to local guides or tours that could help them visit the most spots they desire. Join them if they please, but give them a chance to enjoy some private time during these tours.
- Offer Downtime Activities
Your guests would like to spend time at home too. Make sure to plan some activities for this time. These activities should not be tiring but rather a chance to relax. You can try some games or movie nights that you can all enjoy together. If you have a couple of kids at home, you can leave them to spend some time playing outside.
Conclusion
A home full of guests can feel enthralling, but only if you manage to make them feel at ease. Use these simple welcome tips to help create a hospitable environment at your home. This way, you can make them feel welcomed and glad to spend time with you at your humble abode.